A Review of Disneyland’s Lunar New Year Celebration

For the first time in two years, the Lunar New Year Celebration is back at the Disneyland Resort, and my family and I couldn’t have been more excited to experience firsthand! It’s the Year of the Tiger and there are so many fun ways to enjoy this tribute to Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean cultures before it ends on February 13th.

We were invited and hosted by Disney to attend this press/media event, but all photos and reviews are my own.

And did you know that during the Lunar New Year wearing red symbolizes good fortune and joy? And did you know that the dragon symbolizes strength, power, and good luck? There are so many beautiful things to learn, honor, and celebrate with your family at the Lunar New Year Celebration.

Food Review

What food isn’t amazing at Disneyland? And the limited edition Lunar New Year options won’t disappoint you. My tip is that you purchase a Sip and Savor Pass, which provides six coupons, redeemable for select food and nonalcoholic beverages at participating kiosks and dining locations! The pass costs $40 for Magic Key holders and $43 for others.

There are four main Marketplace kiosks during The Lunar New Year. They are Longevity Noodle Co., Lucky 8 Lantern, Prosperity Bao & Buns, and Red Dragon Spice Traders. PRO TIP: Find the shortest line and order everything you want from all 4 kiosks. Keep your receipt and then when you are ready, you can walk right up to the Pick Up line, and skip the long order lines! On the day we went, opening day, we found the shortest line to be at Red Dragon Spice Traders.

Some of my favorite food options were:

Impossible Lion’s Head Meatballs from Red Dragon Spice Traders

Shrimp Fried Rice with Garlic Bacon Edamame from Lucky 8 Lantern

Spicy Three-Cup Chicken from Red Dragon Spice Traders

Beef Bulgogi Short Rib on Rice with Green Onion Salad from Lucky 8 Lantern

Mickey Chinese Hot Dog Bun from Prosperity Bar & Buns

Mickey Purple Sweet Potato Macaron

And you can also pick up some limited edition Lunar New Year goodies at The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa! There is even an entrance right in Disney’s California Adventure Park!

Assorted Pretzel Sticks

Lantern Whoopie Pie

Character Review

I love the festive attire the characters wear during The Lunar New Year! This year, you can have a socially distanced meet n greet with Mulan, Mushu, Mickey, Minnie as in years past, and new this year, since it’s the year of the Tiger, you can have a meet n greet with Tigger!

And making her Disney’s California Adventure Park debut this year is none other than Raya!!!! She is typically only available for a meet n greet in the afternoon/evening and can be found in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail area. Look for the lanterns near the front left of the area and you’ll find her! There can be a line, so if you don’t want to wait, there is also a walk through area as well where you can snap a quick photo but you won’t be able to have a conversation with her. Please look at your Disneyland app for exact times when she will be out for a meet n greet!

In the meantime, check out the TikTok of me talking with Raya asking her where Sisu was! You’ll love her answer!

Entertainment Review

One of my favorite parts of the day was watching Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession. It is only a few minutes but the music, colors, and festivities will delight you! You can catch the procession at either 1:30, 2:45, 4:45, 5:45, or 7. And each time it runs, it runs both directions so you can see everything from both sides!

Guest Experience Review

Participate in kid-friendly crafts and activities including making a wish and hanging it up on the Wishing Wall!

Merchandise Review

The Disneyland Resort designed new merchandise in honor of the Lunar New Year! There are many options for something to wear or take home as a souvenir from your day celebrating!

There is also a special Lunar New Year Tumbler and Mulan Sipper!

Magic Key Holder Opportunity

If you are a Magic Key holder, there is a private photo opportunity and commemorative button in celebration of the Lunar New Year! If you head directly behind the Silly Symphony Swings, you will have the opportunity to show your Magic Key to receive the button and take a photo! I love that Disney cares about their Magic Key holders and offers special perks within the park for them!

Media Press Day Highlights

As I mentioned, we were so overjoyed and humbled to be invited as Disney’s guest for the Lunar New Year Media Press Event. We were given a special opportunity to have a private meet n greet with Mulan as well as hear directly from Disney’s chef about all the dishes for the Lunar New Year! We even had a sneak peek at the new merchandise and all of the food and beverage offerings during this Lunar New Year!